Chevrolet has followed an industry-wide trend with the Malibu, giving it a long wheelbase (a full six inches longer than the last model) to provide ample interior room for the occupants and a smooth, quiet ride. The Malibu makes good use of its space. Despite the longer wheelbase, the car is only three inches longer than the 2007 model, giving it an attractive wheels-at-the-corners look.

The Malibu looks masculine, brawny, yet clean and crisp. In our opinion, this is one of the best overall designs that GM design boss Ed Welburn has supervised since he's had the top design job.

The body design is bold, long and sleek, with an especially appealing roofline that looks like it belongs on a luxury car. The bodysides are completely clean and uncluttered, and the twin round taillamps pay homage to the Corvette. The dual-port grille is a contemporary Chevrolet design cue. We think it works better on the Silverado, but it gives the Malibu a distinctive look, and distinction is the goal of the midsize sedan designer. Look closely and you'll see tiny bowtie emblems imbedded in the headlights, one of several small surprise-and-delight features the designers included in the hope owners will discover them one pleasant day while washing the car.

Malibu rides on GM's midsize Epsilon platform, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars of varying diameters, depending on model.